Benson wrestlers top Paynesville in first round, but fall to Lakers in semis

The Benson wrestling team went 1-1 during the Section 5A Team Wrestling Tournament last week, topping Paynesville at home last Wednesday, 41-19, but falling to second-seeded Minnewaska Area, Friday, in the “Final Four” in Benson, 49-18.  The Braves finished the season with a 13-10 overall record, the first winning record since 2008-09 when the team went 9-8 overall.
This was the first time since 1996 where Benson has been seeded in the top three in the section.  Top-seeded LPGE-Browerville routed BBE in  the other semifinals before beating Minnewaska Area in the finals, 37-25.
“Our guys wrestled very tough Friday night, but we just didn’t get the close ones to go our way,” coach Scott Thompson said.  “The effort from my guys was awesome and they all came to wrestle hard.  The team would like to thank the community for all of the support this week and all season; they certainly felt the love.”
LPGE-Browerville, ranked first in state Class A, was the defending section champion.  The Section 5A Individual Wrestling Tournament is set for Saturday, Feb. 23 at Minnewaska Area High School, and the State Wrestling Tournament is set for Feb. 28-March 2 in St. Paul.
“We feel we have a great chance to have 14 wrestlers place this weekend and send a big group to state,” Thompson said... 
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PICTURED: Adam Zosel earned a last-second reversal to win his match at 145 pounds, 11-9.